We kickoff this Friday with CPI and Real Earnings at 7:30 A.M. We will not have the Crop Production, Grain Stocks, USDA Supply/Demand and Winter Wheat Seedings do to the government shutdown. But that has not silenced the Grains as pivotal trade talks with China seem to be gaining ground as the first round ended with good feelings. We are in the green in the Grain Complex with the exception of Oats. South America is another factor with Brazil dry and Argentina wet. In the overnight electronic session the March Corn is currently trading at 378 ¼ which is 2 cents higher. The trading range has been 379 ¼ to 377.

On the Ethanol front the February contract is currently trading at 1.287 which is .017 higher. The trading range has been 1.287 to 1.273. 2 contracts traded and Open Interest dropped to 1,806 contracts. The market is currently showing 2 bids @ 1.276 and 1 offer @ 1.285. Farmers and Producers are hoping for a China deal that would include Corn & Ethanol to exports and improve their weak margins for profit.

On the Crude Oil front the market gave back early gains in the overnight electronic session following the Stock Markets lead. In the overnight electronic session the February Crude Oil is currently trading at 5202 which is 57 points lower. The trading range has been 5331 to 5175.

On the Natural Gas front we are trading higher with the mercury dropping. In the overnight electronic session the February contract is currently trading at 3.034 which is 6 ½ cents higher. The trading range has been 3.069 to 2.991.